When I’m not singing Karaoke, I’m a computer programmer. Programmers often face all “problems” (real or imagined) with a technology-based solution. Often, this “solution” requires more work than the original “problem”.
I’ve applied this maxim to Karaoke song slips. What could be simpler than a song slip? But the problem is that not all DJ’s have pre-printed slips... and even if they do, it’s such a hassle when I already *know* what I’m going to sing.
The obvious solution is the one I’ve started using at The Goat. Buy a cheap 3x5 notepad, and write down the songs before going to the bar. Once there, add the disc numbers. Then, simply rip off the sheet and give it to the DJ.
What could be simpler? Well, nothing. But how about something more complex? Aha! That’s where I come in!
I’ve created a spreadsheet that has it all. You enter 10 songs, the artists, and the disc/track (if known). Add your name, and optionally, your email address. The spreadsheet automagically reformats the information into an easy-to-print page of fully personalized song slips! Man, it looks pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.
Then, all you have to do is cut out the little slips and take them to the bar. Here’s where the convenience thing kinda falls apart, though. It’s easy to whip a little spiral notebook out of your pocket and rip out a page. Carrying around a stack of song slips, on the other hand... well, that kinda takes us right back where we started. Darn it.
But for what it’s worth, I’ve made the spreadsheet available to anyone who wants it. I’ve even declared it to be in the Public Domain, so if any DJs out there want to adapt it to make up their own song slips, that’s fine by me. My work here is done.
Microsoft Excel version, with print area and margins already set, and even a Header and Footer for your amusement. I need to convert this to OpenOffice when I get a chance, but for now this is the most ready-to-run version:
Google Docs link: download here
Google Spreadsheet version, without the bells and whistles noted above. Strangely, some of the formula handling just wouldn’t work for me in native Excel — I had to import into Google Spreadsheet, tweak the formulas, then export back to Excel.
Google Docs link: view here